Cyber hackers could steal sensitive data from the NHS, a top government official has warned

And the politician said the biggest threat comes from abroad.

Mr Gummer also said that a scam earlier this year that saw hackers send fake emails pretending to be from the Government to more than 50,000 Brits every day took six weeks to close down.

His warning comes as Westminster today unveils plans to spend £1.9billion on enhancing Britain’s cyber security, amid concerns that “everywhere from the living room to the board room is exposed to malicious hackers”.

“Attacks can cause economic damage, erode public trust in online services and by enabling fraud do real harm to individuals, their property and their privacy.”

Chancellor Philip Hammond is also expected to announce partnerships with companies to develop “automated defence techniques” to stop viruses and spam emails ever reaching people, telling chief executives that they have a responsibility to protect their organisations against cyber attacks.

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It came as Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Trust in East Riding announced yesterday that it was forced to shut down its IT system and declare a “major incident” after being hit by the virus.

Women in labour who have high-risk pregnancies are being transferred to neighbouring hospitals and people suffering major trauma after accidents are also being sent elsewhere.

Mr Gummer added: “Our new strategy, underpinned by £1.9 billion of support over five years and excellent partnerships with industry and academia, will allow us to take even greater steps to defend ourselves in cyberspace and to strike back when we are attacked.”